Pierre & Gilles
An unbridled celebration of a life beyond guilt and expiation
As sweet as raspberry ripple, as tempting as popcorn. Welcome to the seductive pictures of Pierre et Gilles. Again and again they show people in kitschy scenarios against a background of flowers and hearts. When they are not snapping portraits of the well-known - most of whom are close friends like Marc Almond or Nina Hagen - and not-so-known, they photograph themselves.
Bizarre, and full of obscure significance, the photographs are reminiscent of stills from film melodramas.They are always colourful and presented with beguiling polish. They plunder the repertoire of historical presentation as though they were leafing through a collection of fabrics, and assume identities as though they were part of a mail-order catalogue.
Now the latest and most comprehensive collection of the works of these two photographers can be presented to the public - in a format designed by the artists themselves. In matt skin-colour, with a golden edging, the embossed cover is reminiscent of a quilted counterpane and promises a cuddly experience within. Once between the covers one can frolic at will in a soft, artificial world of pictures. This saccharine collection of kitsch encompasses all aspects of homosexuality and offers them in an appetising form even to those who abhor them. A straight challenge is issued to all readers to participate - at least with their eyes - in this unbridled celebration of a life beyond guilt and expiation.
- Reviews (12 items)
How can you use superlatives without sounding corny? I want to say "an astounding production, a steal, buy it before they realise it's underpriced, insanely great publishing, they must be communists...or worse - commonists!..." taschen are children of the revolution. I just want to say - thank you.
me, United States
me, United States
- Clippings (1 items)
- See also (2 items)
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 TASCHEN 25 - Special edition! Selections of Pierre et Gilles's best marine-themed work |
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Pierre & Gilles Limited edition of 110 copies worldwide, designed by the artists, including the signed and numbered cibachrome print "The Cosmonautes". |